Ottawa County Equalization Department 2011 Annual Report

Other Duties 13
Damage Assessment
The Equalization Department is responsible for
gathering preliminary damage assessment
information in the event of a disaster. We also
participate in training and yearly exercises.
Forecasting
We make projections of
taxable value for the
following year.
Education
In order to provide required
recertification credit for local assessors, We again
hosted 14 hours of training over 3 training sessions.
This years sessions covered the use of BS&A software
and the use of GIS in assessing.
Requests for Information
We fill Freedom of Information Act requests for
countywide assessment roll data, and requests from
the schools, other taxing units, and financial advisory
companies for various statistics.
Other Assistance to Local Units
In addition, we assist the local units by developing
uniform standards and updating them on recent law
changes. We also provide technical assistance to the
local units in areas such as valuation appeals,
assessing procedures, and millage questions.
Extra
I still serve on the board of the Michigan Association
of Equalization Directors as past president..
I am one of three now serving on the State Tax
Commission Assessors Discipline Advisory
Committee.
I have also been appointed by the State Tax
Commission to serve as an instructor, guiding
candidates through the new Michigan Master
Assessors Training program
Jim Bush, Deputy Director, serves as Treasurer on
the Board of the Mid Michigan Assessors Association.